The Russellville Junior High School football teams begin conference play tonight with East hosting Morrilton and West traveling to Vilonia.

West (1-3) is coming off its first victory of the season last week, a 14-6 decision over Lake Hamilton. East (0-4) came close to knocking off Sheridan for its first win, but a late touchdown by Sheridan gave the home team an 18-12 victory.

West at Vilonia

West players had a little extra spring in their step this week after picking up the first win of the season.

"We have had a little bit more morale this week," West coach Joey Jones said. "We proved to ourselves that it can be done.

"Vilonia is a little more physical team than we played last week. Their only loss is to Conway Blue."

The Junior Eagles like to keep the ball on the ground with their double-wing that features two tight ends and two running backs.

"They run the ball a lot and they do a good job of it," Jones said.

The Whirlwinds may be without starting quarterback and linebacker Cory Baxley, who sustained a knee injury in practice Monday. Baxley was the hero last week with a 70-yard interception return for a touchdown and intercepted a pass on Lake Hamilton's last possession when the visitors were threatening to score.

"As of (Wednesday) afternoon, I don't know if he will play or not," Jones said. "He is in a lot of pain."

If he is unable to go, 8th grader Blake Humphrey will get the start at quarterback.

The key to the game, according to Jones, is keeping the Vilonia offense off the field.

"We can't afford to give up four or five yards a play and let them eat up the clock and they are known for that."

With the conference race beginning, the Whirlwinds have wiped the slate clean as they prepare to go after a conference title.

"I've been stressing that to the kids all week," Jones said. "This is the start of a new season. Everybody is 0-0."

East at Morrilton

East coach Jeff Terry sees it the same way Jones does.

"Everybody now is 0-0," Terry said. "On paper, they should beat us, but I told the kids that football isn't played on paper."

Morrilton (4-0) has yet to have a close game. The week before Sheridan beat the Whirlwinds, the Devil Pups blasted the Junior Yellowjackets 33-6.

"They are very fast," the coach stated. "One of their stars (running back) Josh Trezvant won everything at the state junior high track meet last year as an 8th grader."

Terry said his team is healthy and that they are going "to throw everything we got at them. We will have to play an error-free ballgame."

In other games tonight: Atkins at Perryville, Pulaki Oak Grove at Dardanelle, Danville at Magazine and Hector at Ola.